Four years down, four more to go

Christian Rhodes

The start to my first day of high school was probably one of my more dreadful experiences.

I left my house a nervous wreck. I slowly walked to the bus stop with my overly prepared backpack. While I waited, I started thinking about all the possible things that could go wrong. As my imagination was having a field day, I noticed the bus should have been there already. After 10 more minutes, I concurred that the impossible had happened. Yes, folks, the bus driver had forgotten about me. To this day I remember almost having an aneurysm while sprinting inside to find a ride. It was a rather traumatizing experience.

It was that day I learned that my luck hadn’t changed merely because I was a freshman.

High school has been filled with unforgettable experiences, as well as those that are better left forgotten. For the past four years, I’ve been fighting my way to graduation day, and now that day is quickly approaching. I know I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am today without the friends I’ve taken down with me. Learning along beside me.

Honestly, all the lessons I’ve learned are personal. Each year I learned a little bit more about myself and all the people around me, which is what really matters. Freshmen: use your time here wisely because it will end. Remember there is more to life than textbooks and AP tests.

Soon enough I’ll be a freshman all over again, in an unfamiliar town, trying to find my way around the University of Cincinnati. However, one false step and I could end up in the ghetto.

So this is it, the home stretch. In less than a month it will be time to walk across that stage to grab ahold of the certificate representing the last four years of my life. In a few weeks it will be time to face the biggest challenge yet: not tripping on the way to receive it.